Auction 87 - Ancient Coins

Etruria, Populonia, 20 Asses, ca. 320-280 BC; AR (g 8,23; mm 20); Gorgoneion; below, X:X, Rv. No type. HNItaly 152; Vecchi 49.
Very rare; rough reverse surface, about extremely fine. [Ex Artemide LI, 27-28 April 2019, lot 23]

Etruria, Populonia, 20 Asses, ca. 320-280 BC; AR (g 8,26; mm 19); Gorgoneion; below, X:X, Rv. No type. HNItaly 152; Vecchi 52.188 (this coin).
Rare, cabinet tone and extremely fine. [Ex R.P. Collection, Kunst und Münzen 26, 1988, lot 4]

Etruria, Populonia, 20 Asses, ca. 320-280 BC; AR (g 8,68; mm 21); Gorgoneion; below, X:X, Rv. poplu (?). HNItaly 152; Vecchi 37.197 (this coin).
Rare. Attractive cabinet tone, about extremely fine. [Ex Numismatica Ars Classica sale P, 12 May 2005, lot 1302]

Latium, Alba Fucens, Obol, ca. 280-275 BC; AR (g 0,55; mm 12; h 5); Helmeted head of Minerva r., Rv. Eagle standing r. on thunderbolt, with spread wings. HNItaly 243.
Rare, and among the best specimen known: good extremely fine.

Latium, Alba Fucens, Obol, ca. 280-275 BC; AR (g 0,58; mm 12; h 11); Helmeted head of Minerva r., Rv. Eagle standing r. on thunderbolt, with spread wings. HNItaly 243.
Rare and extremely fine.

Latium, Signia, Obol, ca. 280-275 BC; AR (g 0,58; mm 11; h 6); Head of Mercury r., wearing winged petasus; below neck, dolphin r.; below chin, caduceus, Rv. Mask composed of Silenus head l., and boars head r.; below, SEIC. HNItaly 343.
Very rare, dark patina, extremely fine.

Campania, Allifae, Obol, ca. 325-275 BC; AR (g 0,63; mm 11; h 6); Laureate head of Apollo r.; around, three dolphins, Rv. AΛΛIBANON, Skylla swimming r.; below, mussel. HNItaly 460.
Rare. Toned, large flan, good extremely fine.

Apulia, Tarentum, Nomos, ca. 332-302 BC; AR (g 8,11; mm 22; h 12); Horseman galloping r., holding shield and spears; below, ΣA, Rv. TAPAΣ, dolphin rider l., holding Kantharos and trident; above, Ω; and below, pellet; on r., dolphin. HNItaly 937; Vlasto 612.
Gold toning, good extremely fine.

Lucania, Velia, Didrachm of the Kleudoros group, ca. 334-300 BC; AR (g 7,54; mm 22; h 10); Head of Athena l., wearing crested Phrygian helmet decorated with sphinx; on r., monogram, Rv. YEΛHTΩN on raised tablet, lion tearing prey l.; below, Φ; above, letter or monogram. HNItaly 1294; SNG Ashmolean 1270 (same dies); SNG Lloyd 525 (same dies).
Rare issue with tablet. Dark patina, extremely fine - good extremely fine.

Lucania, Velia, Didrachm signed by Kleudoros, ca. 334-300 BC; AR (g 7,62; mm 20; h 6); Head of Athena facing three quarters l., with winged and crested Phrygian helmet, KΛEYΔΩΡOY clearly signed on front of bowl, Rv. Lion standing l., devouring prey; below, KΛE monogram; above, Λ; in ex. YEΛHTΩN. HN Italy 1295.
Rare, some deposits and traces of cleaning, anyway good extremely fine / extremely fine.

Lucania, Velia, Didrachm signed by Philistion, ca. 300-280 BC; AR (g 7,28; mm 22; h 3); Head of Athena r., wearing Phrygian helmet decorated with wing; behind, monogram; before, Φ, Rv. Lion standing r.; above, corn-ear between Φ and I; in ex YEΛHTΩN. HNItaly 1309.
Lightly toned, large flan, extremely fine.

Lucania, Herakleia, Didrachm, ca. 330-281 BC; AR (g 8,18; mm 22; h 12); HPAKΛEIΩN, head of Athena r., wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with Skylla hurling a stone; on l., K, Rv. ΗΡΑΚΛΗΙΩΝ, Herakles standing facing, holding club, bow and arrow, with lion's skin draped over arm; on l., AΘA; above, aryballos. HNItaly 1384.
Lightly toned, well struck on a thick flan, good extremely fine.

Lucania, Metapontion, Stater, ca. 540-510 BC; AR (g 8,28; mm 29; h 12); ME - TA (retrograde), barley-ear, Rv. Same type incuse without legend. HNItaly 1470; Noe 90.
A very high relief. Old cabinet tone and extremely fine.

Lucania, Metapontion, Stater, ca. 340-330 BC; AR (g 7,21; mm 18; h 9); Laureate head of Zeus r.; on l., thunderbolt, Rv. METAΠON, barley ear; on r., poppy head and KA. HNItaly 1558; Johnston Pl. 2, 6.2.
Rare. Old cabinet tone, beautiful style, about extremely fine - extremely fine.

Lucania, Metapontion, Bronze, ca. 300-250 BC; AE (g 4,15; mm 17; h 12); Head of Athena facing, slightly l., wearing triple crested helmet, Rv. META, barley ear; above, cross torch. HNItaly 1682; Johnston 46.
Brownish patina, about fdc.

Lucania, Metapontion, Bronze, ca. 225-200 BC; AE (g 3,43; mm 15; h 7); Athena Alkidemos l., brandishing thunderbolt and carrying shield, Rv. META, owl standing l., wings closed, on stalk of barley-ear. HNItaly 1705; Johnston 68c.
Brownish patina, about fdc.

Lucania, Sybaris, Stater, ca. 550-510 BC; AR (g 8,16; mm 30; h 12); Bull advancing l., looking backwards; in ex. MV (retrograde), Rv. Same type incuse without legend. HNItaly 1729.
Cabinet tone, large flan, good extremely fine.

Bruttium, Caulonia, Nomos, ca. 525-500 BC; AR (g 6,55; mm 31; h 12); KAVΛ, Apollo, diademed, walking r., holding laurel branch in upraised r. hand and small running daimon, holding long branch on outstretched arm; in r. field, stag r. on platform, Rv. The same type incuse l., without legend, laurel branch and daimon. HNItaly 2035.
Scarce. Cabinet tone, good very fine.

Bruttium, Caulonia, Stater, ca. 475-425 BC; AR (g 8,05; mm 22; h 12); KAV, Apollo naked, advancing r., holding a branch in uplifted r. hand and a small naked running figure or daimon on outstretched l. arm; on r., stag standing r. and looking backwards, Rv. Stag standing r. HNItaly 2044.
Lightly toned, thick flan, extremely fine.

Bruttium, Croton, Stater, ca. 530-500 BC; AR (g 8,11; mm 27; h 12); ϘPO, tripod with ornaments and legs ending in lion's paws; below, two serpents, Rv. Same type incuse without legend. HNItaly 2075.
Cabinet tone, good extremely fine - almost fdc.

Bruttium, Croton, Stater, ca. 400-325 BC; AR (g 8,08; mm 22; h 9); Facing head of Hera Lakinia, slightly r., on r., B, Rv. KPOTΩNIATAΣ, Herakles seated l. on rock, covered by lion’s skin, holding cup, club and bow. HNItaly 2169; SNG Copenhagen 1802-1803; SNG ANS 375.
Rare. A splendid piece of late classical style, nicely struck and centered. Lovely grey tone, extremely fine - good extremely fine.

Bruttium, Croton, Nomos, ca. 300 BC; AR (g 7,37; mm 21; h 4); Laureate head of Apollo r., Rv. KPO, tripod; on r., filleted laurel branch. HN Italy 2177.
Scarce. Cabinet tone, nice style, extremely fine. [Ex Bank Leu 74, 19-21 October 1998, lot 54]

Bruttium, Terina, Stater, ca. 300-356 BC; AR (g 7,50; mm 22; h 6); TEPINAIΩN, female head r., with elaborate hair, wearing triple pendant earrings an necklace, Rv. Winged Nike seated on cippus l., holding bird alighting on her hand. HNItaly 2629.
Well struck in high relief on a large flan, centered and characterized by a lovely light iridescent tone: good extremely fine.

Sicily, Abakainon, Litra, ca. 440-435 BC; AR (g 0,71; mm 12; h 6); ABAK, laureate and bearded male head r., Rv. AI - NI (around), boar standing r.; below, acorn. Bertino 6; Salinas I, 20; Campana 5.
Very rare, beautifully toned and very well struck. Minor porosity, anyway one of the best specimen known: good extremely fine.

Sicily, Abakainon, Litra, ca. 440-430 BC; AR (g 0,72; mm 12; h 4); Laureate head of Zeus r., Rv. Sow standing r.; on r., acorn; above, IN(retrograde)IA; in ex. ABAK. HGC 2, 10; SNG ANS 897.
Rare, toned, good very fine.

Sicily, Aitna, Litra, ca. 476-461 BC; AR (g 0,42; mm 9; h 11); Ivy-wreathed head of Silenos r., Rv. AIT - NAI, winged thunderbolt. SNG Fitzwilliam 948; SNG ANS 1239; Jameson 537; HGC 65.
Very rare, an extraordinarily well preserved specimen; dark patina, good extremely fine.

Sicily, Akragas, Didrachm, ca. 488-478 BC; AR (g 8,54; mm 20; h 1); AKRA, eagle standing l., Rv. crab within incuse circle. Westermark 180.
Cabinet tone, about extremely fine.

Sicily, Akragas, Didrachm, ca. 480-470 BC; AR (g 8,62; mm 20; h 6); AK - RA, eagle standing r., Rv. crab; below barley grain; all within incuse circle. Westermark 261.5 (O87/R180).
Cabinet tone with iridescent sparkles and well struck on reverse, extremely fine.

Sicily, Akragas, Didrachm, ca. 480-470 BC; AR (g 8,62; mm 19; h 1); AK - RA, eagle standing r., Rv. crab; below barley grain; all within incuse circle. Westermark 261.5 (O87/R180).
Cabinet tone, about extremely fine - good extremely fine.

Sicily, Akragas, Didrachm, ca. 480-470 BC; AR (g 8,73; mm 18; h 8); AK - RA, eagle standing r., Rv. crab; below barley grain; all within incuse circle. Westermark 261.5 (O87/R180).
Cabinet tone with iridescent sparkles, about extremely fine - extremely fine.

Sicily, Akragas, Didrachm, ca. 480-470 BC; AR (g 8,64; mm 21; h 9); AK - RA, eagle standing r., Rv. crab; below barley grain; all within incuse circle. Westermark 262.2 (O87/R181).
Cabinet tone, extremely fine.

Sicily, Akragas, Didrachm, ca. 480-470 BC; AR (g 8,49; mm 19; h 12); AK - RA, eagle standing r., Rv. crab; below barley grain; all within incuse circle. Westermark 262.2 (O87/R181).
Old cabinet tone, struck on a thick flan, about extremely fine - extremely fine.

Sicily, Akragas, Didrachm, ca. 480-470 BC; AR (g 9,02; mm 20; h 12); AK - RA, eagle standing l., Rv. crab within incuse circle. Westermark 278.1 (O90/R191).
Lightly toned, about extremely fine / good extremely fine.

Sicily, Akragas, Didrachm, ca. 450-440 BC; AR (g 8,71; mm 18; h 3); AKRAC - ANTOS (partially retrograde), eagle standing l. on dotted line, Rv. Crab within shallow incuse circle. Westermark 441-442.
Rare. Lightly toned, about extremely fine / extremely fine.

Sicily, Akragas, Hexas, ca. 440-420 BC; AR (g 0,1; mm 5); Head of eagle l.; below, A, Rv. Two pellets. Westermark 521-523 var (head l. with A).
Extremely rare and good extremely fine.

Sicily, Akragas, 2 Litrai - Diobol, Emergency issue to finance a desperate defence against the Carthaginian expedition, ca. 406 BC; AV (g 1,31; mm 10; h 5); AKPA, eagle with closed wings perching on rock to r., tearing at serpent; below, two pellets, Rv. Crab; below, ΣΙΛΑ - ΝΟΣ. Westermark 1014; Dewing 569; SNG ANS 998; SNG München 88; Gulbenkian 171; HGC 2, 75.
Extremely rare and good extremely fine.

Sicily, Akragas, Litra or Eighth Shekel struck under Punic Occupation, ca. 213-211 BC; AR (g 0,82; mm 12; h 4); Laureate head of Zeus r., Rv. ΑΚΡΑ / ΓΑΝ, thunderbolt. Head, HN, p. 124 (cited from Salinas); SNG Copenhagen 109.
Of the highest rarity, apparently known from only a very small number of specimens; the only one in Coinarchives. Nicely centered and uncleaned as found; about extremely fine. [Ex Nomos AG 9, 21 October 2014, lot 42]

Sicily, Gela, Litra, ca. 465-450 BC; AR (g 0,71; mm 12; h 12); Bridled horse advancing; above, wreath, Rv. ΓΕΛ - Α - Σ, forepart of man-headed bull r. Jenkins, Gela, Group III; HGC 2, 373.
Toned and good very fine.

Sicily, Gela, Litra, ca. 465-450 BC; AR (g 0,61; mm 12; h 6); Bridled horse advancing r.; above, wreath, Rv. ΓΕΛΑ, forepart of man-headed bull r. Jenkins, Gela, Group III; HGC 2, 373.
Toned and extremely fine.

Sicily, Himera, Drachm, ca. 475-470 BC; AR (g 4,28; mm 16; h 12); Cock standing l., Rv. HIME - P - AION, astragalus. SNG Lloyd 1015; Westermark, Himera: the coins of Akragantine type, Traveaux Le Rider, 127; HGC 2, 441.
Very rare; homogeneous grey patina, good very fine.

Sicily, Himera, Litra, ca. 475-450 BC; AR (g 0,73; mm 10; h 8); Bearded head r. Rv. Corinthian helmet; around, EIMEPA (retrograde), all within circular incuse. SNG ANS -; SNG Lloyd 1028; HGC 2, 447.
Rare, and among the best specimen known: good extremely fine - about fdc.

Sicily, Himera, Tetradrachm signed by MAI, ca. 409-407 BC; AR (g 17,33; mm 25; h 8); The nymph Himera driving galloping quadriga r.; Nike flying l. above, crowning her with wreath and holding plaque inscribed MAI; in ex. ketos l., Rv. HI - MEP - AION (retrograde), Himera standing facing, head l., holding phiale over altar; satyr standing facing in fountain with a lion-headed spout bathing behind her to r. Rizzo pl. XXI, 23 (these dies); Kraay-Hirmer pl. 22,71 (these dies); C.A. Biucchi, Q. Tic 17, 1988, 22 (these dies); Gutmann-Schwabacher 20 (these dies); C. Boehringer, Essay Kraay-Mørkholm, Himera im IV Jahrhundert V. Chr., pl. VII, 9 (these dies).
A superb coin of fine style, well centred and struck on a sound metal, with lustrous mirror like surfaces: virtually as struck and almost fdc.

Sicily, Himera as Thermai Himerensis, Litra, 4th century BC; AR (g 0,90; mm 11; h 6); ΘEPMITAN, head of Hera r., wearing stephane decorated with three palmettes, Rv. Herakles, seated l. on a rock draped with a lion's skin, with a club; behind, bow. Campana 2A; Jenkins, Punic pl. 22, 7 var (denomination); SNG ANS 1341.
Rare, toned, good very fine.

Sicily, Leontini, Tetradrachm, ca. 425 BC; AR (g 17,17; mm 27; h 11); Laureate head of Apollo l., Rv. LEONTINOY (around), head of roaring lion l.; around, three barley grains; behind, leaf. Boehringer, Münzgeschichte 55; SNG ANS 257.
Old cabinet tone, some typical edge splits, anyway about extremely fine - extremely fine.

Sicily, Morgantina, Litra, ca. 339-317 BC; AR (g 1,06; mm 13; h 6); Helmeted head of Athena facing slightly r.; on l., downward, MOPΓAN[...] (retrograde); on r., dolphin, Rv. Bull butting r.; on tablet below, EΓNAKPIOΣ; in ex. [...?]ΛIΣ (magistrates). Erim & Jaunzems –; Campana – (but cf. 5 for magistrate); HGC 2, –.
Extremely rare, maybe the third specimen known. Toned and a little ragged as usal, extremely fine - good extremely fine.

Sicily, Morgantina, Litra, after 334 BC; AR (g 1,12; mm 15; h 11); ENAKRIOS (retrograde), bust of Athena facing three-quarter l., wearing double-necklace and triple-crested Attic helmet, Rv. MORGANTINΩN, Heracles strangling the Nemean lion; below, club. Cfr. the second specimen known from Numismatica Ars Classica 4, 1991, lot 50: "For the obv. type (but three-quater r.), see Morgantina Studies II, 1989, pl. 1, 11-17 and for a Syracusan prototype, pl. 2, 1; for the reverse, the model may be the rare Tarentine diobol of the same period, Vlasto 1325. For a Timoleonic dating and south Italian connections, with associated issues, see again Morganitina Studies, pl. I, pp 9-14 and 31. The legend Enakrios (of the highest point = of the acropolis) may relate the coin either to a temple of Athena there, or to a garrison occupying the heights of the city".
Apparently the second specimen known. An exceptionally interesting issue; lovely iridescent tone and extremely fine.

Sicily, Motya, Litra, ca. 415-397 BC; AR (g 0,77; mm 12; h 12); Gorgoneion facing slighty to r. Rv. Palm tree; on field, 'mtv' (in Punic). SNG ANS 507 (same dies); Jenkins in SNR 50 (1971), S. 74, 4a var.
Very rare. Beautifully toned and about extremely fine.

Sicily, Segesta, Hemilitron, ca. 440-420 BC; AR (g 0,32; mm 8; h 6); Forepart of a hound to l., Rv. Σ - E - Γ - E, around large H (mark of value); all within shallow circular incuse. Hurter, Segesta, Group IIIa; SNG Copenhagen -; SNG Lloyd -.
Very rare with hound to l.; darkly toned and good very fine.